Spiral incremental structure and method of construction

ABSTRACT

A multilevel spiral incremental structure and construction method for residential and/or commercial buildings is disclosed. The present structure is constructed using a plurality of prefabricated modular units or pods which are substantially similar in their size and configuration and assembled symmetrically about a central core designed to contain ductwork, conduit, vents, pipes and other utility apparatus. The pods are supported on stepped foundation piers at progressively higher elevations based upon a calculated vertical increment factor. In a preferred embodiment six pods are arranged about a central core to produce a hexagonal structure resulting in a vertical increase of about ten feet or one story in floor elevation per revolution about the core. The present construction may be cost effectively expanded into a multilevel building by adding new pods after the initial construction phase without digging a new foundation or demolishing portions of the original structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/271,220 filed Feb. 26, 2001 by JamesA. Lindsley for Spiral Incremental Structure and Method of Construction.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to building construction methodsand, more particularly, to a spiral incremental structure forresidential and commercial buildings and the method of its construction

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Modular building construction and the use of modular buildingcomponents is well known in the prior art. Many previous efforts havebeen directed to achieving functional designs that provide for anappearance of angularity in building construction, that is, where thebuilding footprint and room layout are dominated by something other than90 degree corners. Such prior art designs have commonly used hexagonalunits or modules in their construction. The hexagonal modules found insuch prior art patents generally stand alone or combine multiplehexagons to create a honeycomb effect.

[0004] However, none of these prior art structures succeed in achievingsubstantial versatility and/or reasonable cost savings over on-siteconstruction. One disadvantage of such modular constructions is theincorporation of building details, technologies, and constructionmethods that are not easily adapted to manufacturers that currentlyconstruct, pre-cut, panelized and modular buildings.

[0005] Still other prior art constructions reduce the hexagonal form toa more basic building module: the equilateral triangle. With suchtriangular systems the previously described cost and versatilityproblems still exist and, in addition, such triangular schemes alsointroduce a further problem when using common building materials. Forexample, commonly sold rectangular floor and roof materials fit veryawkwardly into a triangular module.

[0006] Further, none of the prior art systems has achieved a costeffective means of making additions to the basic structure without thenecessity of digging new foundations, demolition of portions of theoriginal structure and landscape restoration after the addition iscompleted.

[0007] Thus, the present invention has been developed to resolve theseproblems and other shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a spiral incrementalstructure and construction method by which residential and/or commercialbuildings can be built in a hexagonal or other common shape using aplurality of polygonal building sections or so-called pods in theirconstruction. The pods are constructed of prefabricated components,which are substantially similar in their size and configuration, and areassembled symmetrically about a central core designed to containductwork, conduit, vents, pipes and other utility apparatus for thebuilding.

[0009] A unique feature of the present structure is that the individualpods are supported on stepped foundation piers at progressively higherelevations above ground level. The vertical rise between adjacent podsis referred to as an increment. In a preferred embodiment thearrangement of six pods about a central core to produce an overallhexagonal structure results in an increase of about 10 feet or one storyin floor elevation per revolution about the core. This produces abuilding structure that is generally analogous to a large spiralstaircase wherein the floor of each pod is represented by a tread of thestaircase. Thus, the present invention is designated a spiralincremental structure for purposes of this application.

[0010] A particular advantage of the present construction is that it maybe efficiently and cost effectively expanded into a multi-story buildingby adding new pods at any time after the initial construction phasewithout digging a new foundation or demolishing portions of theoriginal. This is facilitated by the disassembly of roof sectionsconstructed with removable fasteners and rubber washers, prefabricatedroof panels, prefabricated wall sections, prefabricated ceiling/floorjoist assemblies, and combination truss/rafters and the reuse of suchstructural components in the expanded structure.

[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated.

[0012] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception uponwhich this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis forthe designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying outthe purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, thatthe claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

[0013] Other features and technical advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The novel features of the present invention are set forth in theappended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as otherfeatures and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference tothe following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment whenread in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective of one embodiment of thespiral incremental structure of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a composite elevational projection illustratingconstruction details of the spiral incremental structure;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a composite plan view of the spiral incrementalstructure illustrating the arrangement of the individual modules aboutthe central core with floor plan details;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the spiral incremental structure showingfurther construction details of the spiral incremental structure; and

[0019]FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the spiral incrementalstructure showing a modified layout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] With reference to the drawings there is shown therein a view ofthe spiral incremental structure of the present invention, indicatedgenerally at 10 and illustrated in FIG. 1. This drawing shows thearrangement of individual modules or pods 21-23 about a central,hexagonal core structure 20 (FIG. 3) and exterior details of the presentstructure 10 including the unique configuration of the roof assembly,indicated generally at 100, including roof panels 102 and roof comermoldings 104. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the central corestructure 20 is capped with a cupola or observatory, indicated generallyat 60, with a separate hexagonal roof structure, indicated generally at90 that extends above the main roof assembly 100. It will be appreciatedthat each of the pods 21-23 is positioned at a progressively highervertical elevation than the next adjacent pod on a stepped foundation,which is a distinctive characteristic of the present spiral incrementalstructure 10 as explained hereinafter in further detail.

[0021] The present spiral incremental structure 10 includes innovativesupporting means including, but not limited to, the followingstructures. Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a composite detail viewof the internal supporting elements of the present structure 10. In theembodiment shown, the present structure 10 is supported on a peripheral,concrete footing 12 below grade whereon a concrete basement slab 14 ispoured in the conventional manner. The concrete basement slab 14 (seeFIG. 3) is generally diamond or kite-shaped with substantially the samedimensions and configuration as an adjacent, concrete garage slab 16(see FIG. 3) disposed at grade level.

[0022] Still referring to FIG. 2 the pods 21-26 are supported inposition by a plurality of stepped foundation piers 30 of concretepillar and/or block construction whereon their respective floor joistassemblies 31-36 are disposed. Each respective ceiling joist assembly41-46 is disposed in parallel, horizontally opposed relation to itscorresponding floor joist assembly 31-36 being supported by inwardlyconverging, radial wall assemblies 50, which extend from the centralcore 20 to the exterior wall sections 52.

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates that additional piers 30 may extend radiallyinward at predetermined locations as necessary to provide addedstructural support to the radial wall assemblies 50 defining each pod21-26.

[0024] In practice the construction of the spiral incremental structure10 proceeds after the footing 12, concrete slabs 14 and 16, and thesupporting piers 30 are laid and positioned as depicted in FIG. 2.Assembly of the structure 10 proceeds sequentially beginning with thefirst pod 21 adjacent the garage slab 16 and in the normal practicecontinues in a clockwise direction as pods 22-26 are added atprogressively higher elevations above grade and around the central core20.

[0025] The polygonal modules or so-called pods 21-26 comprising thepresent structure 10 are arranged in a radially symmetrical patternabout the hexagonal central core 20 as most clearly seen in FIG. 3. Itwill be appreciated that each of the generally diamond-shaped pods 21-26defines a designated area or room in the overall structure 10. In theembodiment shown each pod is constructed with inwardly converging walls50 defining an included angle of 60 degrees such that a total of sixpods 21-26 arranged as shown completes a full revolution about thecentral core structure.

[0026] The vertical rise between adjacent pods 21-26 defines thevertical increment for the structure. In the embodiment illustrated thevertical increment between pods corresponds to approximately 20.5 inchesas indicated in the vertical elevation scale 70 at the left margin ofFIG. 2. This vertical increment factor corresponds approximately to theheight of three conventional stair steps or, in the alternative, ahandicapped access ramp, which may be disposed between each pod 21-26 ifthe structure is to be utilized for commercial purposes.

[0027] Of course it will be understood that the vertical incrementfactor may vary in accordance with different designs of the presentstructure 10, which may include a greater or lesser number of pods intheir construction resulting in a different increment.

[0028] Referring again to the vertical elevation scale 70 on the leftmargin of FIG. 2, it will be noted that the difference in elevation fromthe basement slab 14 (designated Level -L1) to pod 25 (designatedLevel-L5) is approximately 123 inches or about 10 feet. Thus, in thepresent embodiment the pod 25 will be disposed directly above thebasement slab 14 with approximately 9 feet of ceiling height. In asimilar manner the pod 26 (designated Level-L6) is disposed directlyabove the garage slab 16 (designated Level-L0) with approximately thesame 123 inches of clearance providing a 10 foot ceiling height.Construction continues in this manner until the desired number of podsare installed for a given application of the present invention.

[0029] In order to add another pod to the spiral incremental structure10 shown in FIG. 3 after initial construction is completed, the roofpanel 100 on pod 21 is disassembled by removal of detachable fastenerssuch as lag screws, bolts, and rubber washers utilized in the initialconstruction. Next, new prefabricated radial walls are erected and a newceiling/floor joist assembly is installed above the radial walls 52.Thereafter, the roof assembly is reinstalled and exterior wall sectionsare added to complete the structural assembly of the new pod. Somespecialty spacers and moldings (not shown) are also required to completethe installation.

[0030] It is anticipated that by utilizing prefabricated radial walls,roof panels, exterior wall panels, combination truss/rafters, removablefasteners and a crane, a 420 square foot pod addition can bestructurally installed and “dried” within a couple of days. It will benoted that by using the present construction method any number of podscan be added to the present structure 10 until the load capacity of thewalls or other restrictions imposed by local building codes is reached.

[0031] It will be understood that from time to time additional coreunits 75 or half core units 80 as shown in FIG. 2 will be added tovertically extend the central core 20 to accommodate additional pods.This is accomplished by removal of the cupola 60 (FIG. 1), adding thenecessary core units 75 and/or 80 and then reinstalling the cupola 60 orother core cap structure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a full coreunit 75 is dimensioned to accommodate six vertical increments and a halfcore unit 80 only 3 vertical increments.

[0032] Of course numerous other exterior designs and floor plans may bedevised within the basic layout of the spiral incremental structure 10.For example, FIG. 5. depicts an alternative embodiment of the presentspiral incremental structure, indicated generally at 10′ with a modifiedfloor plan.

[0033] Although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, it isunderstood that additional equipment and structural components will beprovided as necessary, and that all of the components described aboveare arranged and supported in an appropriate fashion to form a completespiral incremental structure incorporating features of the presentinvention.

[0034] It is also understood that variations may be made in the presentstructure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, the present structure may be constructed in accordance withpentagonal, octagonal, or alternative polygonal footprints withsubstantially different dimensions.

[0035] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have beenshown and described, a latitude of modification, change, andsubstitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in certaininstances some features of the invention will be employed without acorresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate thatthe appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent withthe scope of invention.

What is claimed is: 1.) A spiral incremental structure comprising: aplurality of pod structures assembled in a radially symmetrical patternin side-by-side relation about a central core structure, each of saidpod structures being positioned at a progressively higher elevationsbased upon a predetermined vertical increment factor; and supportingmeans installed beneath said pod structures conforming to saidprogressively higher elevations such that said pod structures willoverlap in vertically stacked relation upon construction of a completerevolution about said core structure to form a multilevel spiralstructure. 2.) The spiral incremental construction of claim 1 whereinsaid vertical increment factor is calculated to produce a predeterminedincrease in vertical elevation per revolution about said core structure3.) The spiral incremental structure of claim 2 wherein said verticalincrement is in the range of 19.5 to 21.5 inches. 4.) The spiralincremental structure of claim 1 wherein said pod structures areprefabricated modules including a floor assembly, radial wallassemblies, an exterior wall assembly, and a roof assembly. 5.) Thespiral incremental structure of claim 4 wherein said pod structures aregenerally diamond-shaped in configuration such that said radial wallassemblies within each pod structure define an included angle of 60degrees. 6.) The spiral incremental structure of claim 5 whereinadjacent pod structures are interconnected by removable fastening means.7.) The spiral incremental structure of claim 2 wherein the outerperiphery of said structure is hexagonal in configuration. 8.) Thespiral incremental structure of claim 7 wherein said core structure ishexagonal in configuration. 9.) The spiral incremental structure ofclaim I wherein said supporting means includes a stepped foundation walldisposed beneath and extending about the periphery of said spiralincremental structure to support said pod structures at saidprogressively higher elevations. 10.) The spiral incremental structureof claim 9 wherein said supporting means further includes plurality ofsupport columns disposed at predetermined locations conforming to saidradially symmetrical pattern and being constructed to said progressivelyhigher elevations to provide support for said pod structures. 11.) Aspiral incremental structure comprising: a plurality of prefabricatedmodules positioned at regular angular intervals around a central corestructure, said modules being disposed at progressively higherelevations based upon a predetermined vertical increment factor; and astepped foundation wall disposed beneath and extending about theperiphery of said structure and constructed in conformance with saidprogressively higher elevations to support said pod structures. 12.) Thespiral incremental construction of claim 11 wherein said verticalincrement factor is calculated to produce a predetermined increase invertical elevation per revolution about said core structure 13.) Thespiral incremental structure of claim 12 wherein said vertical incrementfactor is in the range of 19.5 to 21.5 inches. 14.) The spiralincremental structure of claim 11 wherein said pod structures areprefabricated modules including a floor assembly, radial wallassemblies, an exterior wall assembly, and a roof assembly. 15.) Thespiral incremental structure of claim 14 wherein said pod structures aregenerally diamond-shaped in configuration such that said radial wallassemblies within each pod structure define an included angle of 60degrees. 16.) The spiral incremental structure of claim 15 whereinadjacent pod structures are interconnected by removable fastening means.17.) The spiral incremental structure of claim 12 wherein the outerperiphery of said structure is hexagonal in configuration. 18.) Thespiral incremental structure of claim 17 wherein said core structure ishexagonal in configuration. 19.) A method of constructing a multilevelspiral incremental structure, said method comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of prefabricated pod structures of a predeterminedconfiguration; constructing a stepped foundation wall about a centralcore structure at progressively higher elevations based upon apredetermined vertical increment factor; installing said podssequentially in symmetrical relation about said core structure at saidprogressively higher elevations; repeating the above step of installinguntil one revolution is completed about said central core structure toconstruct an interim single level spiral structure. 20.) The method ofclaim 19 further including the step of: attaching additional podstructures sequentially in stacked vertical relation to said singlelevel spiral structure to produce a multilevel spiral incrementalstructure.